Spearfishing Norway | The Spearo Trip Guide

If I had to describe spearfishing Norway in three words, it would be: cold, dark, and wet. 

Doesn’t sound very appealing? 

Trust me, there’s a reason it’s becoming more and more popular here. 

Norway is one of the best spots for spearfishing in the world. And I will prove it to you.

Crystal clear waters, huge fish and lovely people with warm hearts await you spearfishing in Norway (and yes- there are also sunny days. ;).

In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to make the most of your spearfishing adventure in Norway. Expect tips on selecting the right gear, understanding ocean conditions, and targeting different Norwegian fish species.

Whether you’re a noob or an experienced spearo, there’s something here for everyone. Get ready to dive into the cold, dark waters of Norway – you won’t be disappointed.

Norway Fish Species for Spearfishing

What sets Norway apart from other spearfishing destinations? 

Norway might not have the biodiversity of tropical coral reefs, but what it lacks in variety, it makes up for in size and abundance. 

We might have fewer species, but the ones we do have, you’ll find plenty of them. 

Plus, the further north you go, the bigger the fish.

From massive halibut to cod and pollock, there’s no shortage of big catches. 

You can find cod that weigh 30 to 40 kilos. And let me tell you, the fisheries here are well-maintained. We have around 10 to 15 species on the list for spearos. 

Here is vital info on the most important species for Spearos in Norway:

Spearfishing Halibut in Norway

Of course, on the top of the list for Norwegian spearos: The mighty halibut. 

It can grow to 350 kilos and is strong as a train. 

Finding and landing a halibut requires knowledge, skill, and the right gear.

Best Season for Halibut Spearfishing in Norway

The best time to hunt halibut is from July to November when visibility is good and the fish are more active. In winter, the waters can be freezing, sometimes as cold as 3-4 degrees Celsius, and fish activity slows down.

Good Spots for Finding Halibut

Halibut prefer areas with the right type of sand, currents, and nearby drop-offs. Look for mixed dark and light sandy areas, often called “leopard ground.” They usually stay close to structures like sea kelp or rocks.

Speargun Setup 

Your equipment setup is crucial. For halibut, I recommend a double-banded speargun, ideally 90-110 cm long. Use a thick shaft (7.5mm) and a double flopper to ensure your shot holds. 

Best are those double floppers where the two are in the same shaft 10cm underneath each other. They are better than the ones where the two floppers are distributed in a horizontal line, because when you shoot a halibut, chances are that you will shoot into the ground. Best to make sure that at lease one flopper has the chance to open.

A breakaway system can be useful, but I often dive with a 15-meter bungee line on my speargun for better control.

Techniques and Tips

Finding halibut is the hardest part. Once you spot one, approach slowly and avoid spooking it. Halibut tighten their back muscles when ready to flee, so watch for that sign. Shoot at a 45-degree angle from behind for the best penetration.

After the shot, be prepared for a fight. Halibut often run hard before tiring. Always have a second speargun ready for follow-up shots. Once landed, handle the fish carefully to avoid injury from its powerful thrashing. You should always have the white side of the halibut facing up in the boat. This calms the halibut down a lot.

Best Halibut Spearo Recipe

Halibut is a versatile and delicious fish. My favorite way to cook it is grilling fresh over a bonfire after a day of diving. A simple marinade of olive oil, garlic, lemon, chili, and paprika brings out the best flavors. Halibut tacos are another great option for a quick and tasty meal.

Safety and Sustainability

Halibut are protected from December 20 to March 31, so plan your hunts accordingly. Respect size limits and avoid overfishing in one area. This way you ensure that halibut populations remain healthy for future generations.

The minimum size for spearing halibut (“Kveite” in Norwegian) in Norway is 84 cm.

You should not shoot halibut above 2 meters long because they might have a higher accumulation of toxins (it is illegal).

Cod

Cod is a staple of Norwegian waters, especially in the north. They are particularly abundant in the winter when they migrate to the fjords to spawn. Cod are relatively easy to spear due to their size and slower movement compared to other fish. 

Look for them in deeper waters near the seabed, where they often feed. One interesting thing about Norwegian waters is that a lot of the fish are exceptionally curious. They haven’t seen many spearos before, so they might coteme straight up to you. It’s not uncommon to see a 15-kilo cod trying to eat the end of your speargun. Equipment wise I would recommend thicker shafts (7.5mm) because they have quiet thick skulls and they are not exceptionally fast.

Cod has a mild flavor and flaky texture. So it is a versatile ingredient in many dishes, from fish stews to baked cod fillets.

Pollack

Pollack is abundant, especially in the southern waters of Norway. This species is not targeted by commercial fishing that much, so there is usually plenty available for spearfishers. Pollack can be found near underwater structures and rocky areas, often in schools.

There is no minimum size for pollack. 

But I would recommend a length of 60cm so that they had the chance to reproduce once in their lifetime.

Pollack has a mild, slightly sweet flavor and is perfect for dishes like fish and chips, norwegian fish cakes (“fiskekaker”), or simply grilled.

Wolffish

If you’re out in April and May, that’s wolffish season. During this time, wolffish come up shallow, making them easier to spot and spear. However it is important to mention, that it is a vulnerable species, so don’t take many on the same spot.

Red King Crab

Unfortunately under normal conditions you are not allowed to collect king crab as a tourist.

But there are certain quotas allocated for tourist fishing companies. So you can catch some king crab, if you are catching them with these companies (Tourists cannot catch king crab on their own through the company’s licence.)

Coalfish

Coalfish, also known as saithe, are abundant in the northern regions of Norway. These fish are also known for their curious nature, often swimming closer to investigate divers. Of course, that makes them easier targets for us spearos. Coalfish are typically found in schools, and you can often spot them near underwater structures or in areas with strong currents.

There are no minimum size limits on Coalfish for tourists (only if you intend to sell you catch which you are not allowed as a tourist; for locals it would be 40- 45cm depending on where you catch them).

Flounder, Turbot, Dab & Co.

There are different flatfish of flounder that you can catch in Norway -all of them delicious.are common in Norway’s fjords. 

These fish are well-camouflaged, lying on the sandy or muddy bottoms. They are usually found in shallower waters and are more active at night. Spearfishing for flounder requires keen eyesight and a careful approach to avoid spooking them. 

But in general they are an easy catch, most of the time you can stab them with your knife or speargun.

The Plaice (red spots; “Rødspette”) minimum size 27cm in Skagerrak and 29cm outside.

European Flounder (“Skrubbe”) minimum size 20cm.

For the Common Dab (“Sandflyndre”) the minimum size is 23cm.

Turbot (“Piggvar”) and Brill (“Slettvar”) look quite similar, so it’s helpful that they share the same minimum size of 30 cm. 

To tell them apart, look for these key differences: 

• Turbot has bony tubercles on its upper side, giving it a rougher texture and a more rounded or diamond-shaped body. 

• Brill has a smoother upper side with small scales and no bony tubercles, and a more elongated, oval-shaped body.

Best Seasons for Spearfishing in Norway

Spearfishing in Norway is heavily influenced by the seasons. 

In the winter up north, the sea sometimes freezes, and temperatures can drop to just a few degrees above zero (3-4 °C). During this time, the waters are pretty dead and the fish go to 30-40m deep.

As spring arrives, the algae bloom can initially cause bad visibility, but the fish start coming back. 

Many people imagine Norway’s waters as murky, cold, and dark, but come summer and autumn, the conditions can be truly stunning.

From July to December, you get the best conditions with good visibility and big fish. 

This period is the top season for Norway spearfishing and offers crystal clear waters. With a visibility up to 35 meters you can dive among big sea kelp forests, hunting large cods and halibuts.

Top Spots for Spearfishing in Norway

Spearfishing in Norway requires knowing where to go. Fish tend to be in the same areas at the same times each year. 

If you’re not in the right spot, you could spend hours in the water without seeing a single fish.

But once you learn to read the currents and identify pressure points, you’ll have much better success.

Norway offers some amazing spots for spearfishing, each with its own unique challenges and rewards. Here are some top locations you should consider:

Spearfishing at the Norwegian Fjords

The fjords in Norway are fantastic for spearfishing. Diving inside the fjords can be a bit tricky because rainwater and melting snow can cause poor visibility. But you’ll still find great fish. The closer you get to the open ocean, the better the visibility.

One of the best things about Norway is how accessible the diving spots are. With so many fjords, islands, and ferries, you can reach excellent spots without needing a boat. 

You can drive to a spot, jump in, drift for 10 minutes, shoot a halibut, and walk back to your car with your catch. 

Shore diving here is just that easy.

You’ll find roads everywhere, near the water making it easy to park and dive. 

You can camp and park wherever you want, as long as you’re not blocking traffic. 

Stavanger to Trondheim- Good Spots for Beginner Spearos

From Stavanger to Trondheim, you’ll find beginner-friendly spots with gentler currents and plenty of fish:

The currents here aren’t very strong, making it easier to dive. You can find fish almost everywhere. The key in Norway is to look for artificial structures. Bridges, rocks, and big rock walls that protect boats are great places to start.

In Norway, we have these big rock walls around boat areas to protect them from waves and wind. If you go to one of these spots in the south, you can dive right at the end of the wall. 

You’ll see schools of 2 to 3 kilo cod and pollock, with bigger cod underneath. It’s fantastic eating, good fun, and easy diving.

Further north, from Trondheim to Tromsø, the diving gets harder with stronger currents and more extreme weather, but the fish are also bigger.

How to find fish in Norway for Spearfishing

The key is to be able to read the currents and find the pressure points. 

Halibut hunting is different because you need to cover a lot of area but still be in the right type of spot. You can spend 100 hours on the water and not see a single halibut if you’re in the wrong area. You need the right type of sand, color, currents, and depth.

If you’re going for pelagic fish, anything that sticks out is generally good. 

A flat bottom with a pinnacle will hold fish. 

A flat area with a steep ledge will also hold fish.

I can also recommend the app Fishbuddy for finding good spots for different species in Norway.

Ocean Conditions in Norway

Spearfishing Norway’s waters, two factors might be dangerous: the cold and the currents. 

In winter and late autumn, it’s cold. If you don’t have the right equipment (see below), it can be risky.

Some currents go 3-5 meters a second. You can’t fight them and you can easily get pushed out. 

I’ve been pushed out quite a lot by learning and failing. 

It’s dangerous, but if you have good equipment and you’re fit, you can manage. 

Because there’s almost always land nearby.

Some currents can push you down. If you dive to 10 meters, you might suddenly find yourself at 20 meters. 

But where there’s current, there’s fish. 

The best fishing places are often the scariest places to dive. 

You need to read the tidal movement and the moon phases and dive when it’s low tide. 

When the tide changes from going in to out, you can get good drifts. 

Jump in from land a kilometer away from the hotspots and drift with the current over the hotspots. 

When the tide changes, drift back to your starting point.

You have to respect the tide. 

There’s a Norwegian website called Kartverket that’s good for checking the strength of the tides and when they change. 

Some places are chaotic because of the crisscrossing fjords and islands. 

Sometimes the current doesn’t change as expected during high tide. 

The currents can be so chaotic that you swim out and get dragged one way, then another. Often, you have a current on top and another five meters below. 

You might be going one way on the surface and another way when you dive down, popping up in the same place.

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Spearfishing Guide Norway:
Book your Spearfishing Trip with Eivind Larsen aka. Spearofjords

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Gear for Spearfishing in Norway

I think we can learn a lot of Norwegian spearos in terms of what gear they use. Let‘s jump straight into the essentials you‘ll need for spearfishing in Norwegian waters:

Speargun Choice for Norwegian Waters

The type of speargun you use can make a big difference. For most of Norway, a double-banded 90cm speargun is versatile enough. But if you’re targeting bigger fish, like halibut, you might want something longer, like a 110cm or even bigger.

Speargun Shaft Thickness for Norway

I recommend using a thicker shaft than you might in other regions. Norwegian fish are often larger and slower, so a 7.5mm shaft will give you better penetration and reduce the chance of bending.

Float Setup

The best investment that I have made in terms of gear in Norway compared to other places: A bungee line. A 15-meter bungee helps manage big fish like halibut. If the fish tries to dive deep, the bungee will keep it from going too far and make it easier to tire it out.

When hunting halibut, I use a 1.5 atmospheric pressure float. It’s the same type used for large fish like dogtooth tuna and wahoo. 

Always have a diving flag, as there’s a lot of boat traffic in Norway.

So to set up the float line, I start with 5 to 10 meters of normal rope, followed by a 10 or 15-meter bungee. 

This combination helps keep the line from getting tangled in seaweed and rocks, which is a common issue in Norwegian waters.